Water outlet for heater on 258

Putting the Jeep back on the road this weekend and something crossed my mind. I have removed all the factory heating (didn't work) and will replace later with aftermarket (if needed -I live in SC). I currently have used a 8" hose and looped the outlet on the water neck back to the inlet. Will this work OK once engine reachs temp and while driving? Should I have pluged these ports?

Thanks

 

It will be fine. That is how I run mine.

 

Thats exactly how the PO had mine when I got it and he said it had been that way for years without any problems. I hooked back up to its original configuration after repairing the heater controls and I haven't used it since. Go figure....

 

thats how i have mine right now.

 

It may or may not overheat. It really needs a restriction in that line to make sure enough water flows through the radiator and not just through the heater bypass. Either bend the hose over and zip tie it collapsed or put a restriction like a bolt of somehting in the hose to restrict the flow.